A humidifier can help with dry air, skin irritation, and cold and flu symptoms. So, if you’re someone who struggles with any of these things, purchasing a humidifier might really help!
We’ve put together a list of the 10 best humidifiers, so you don’t have to spend hours searching. Broken down into categories, we’ll share our top humidifiers for individual needs.
To create this list, we looked at each product’s ability, output, tank capacity, and room coverage, among other details. Backed by real customer experience and expert advice, we’re confident you’ll find a quality option for your home.
- Ultra-quiet
- Optional night light
- Up to eight hours runtime
- High mist output
- Easy to install
- Small size & weight
- Long-lasting
- Excellent 360-degree coverage
- Ultra quiet under 30 decibels
- Ultra quiet operation
- Easy to maintain
- Large 0.66 gallon capacity
- Large coverage area
- Easy to control
- Easy to install
- Customizable settings
- 360 degrees rotating nozzle
- Whisper quiet
- Sleep mode
- 60 hours of continuous use
- Remote control for convenience
- High mist output
- Warm & cool mist settings
- 50 hour usage
- True HEPA filter
- Autoair quality control
- Long filter life
Product Reviews
Now that you’re sure you need a humidifier for your home, it’s time to meet our 10 favorites. This list is based on real customer reviews, expert advice, and our own experience. You can be sure these humidifiers are all high-quality, with adequate coverage and output.
Let’s meet these 10 excellent humidifiers!
Geniani Erie Cool Mist Humidifier
Best Personal Humidifier
The Erie mini humidifier is one of our favorites. It’s designed for personal use, but that doesn’t compromise its power. It produces a strong, fine, cool mist that improves the air quality around you.
You can use the Geniani humidifier on the go. Simply plug the USB cable into your PC, laptop, outlet, or power bank. You can even use it in the car. Once the humidifier is charged, you can use it cordlessly — perfect for carrying it around wherever you go!
It also has an optional night light feature. You can find the perfect mood lighting for doing yoga, falling asleep, working, or for your baby’s room.
You can’t use essential oils in this one, but you can get a good scent. Just use water-soluble scented additives and put them into the water tank.
Pros
- Ultra quiet, under 30 decibels.
- Portable enough to take everywhere with you.
- Optional night light.
- Up to eight hours runtime.
- Two mist modes to choose from.
- One-year warranty included.
Cons
- Scent doesn’t last long when you add additives.
- Only lasts eight hours on intermittent mode.
- Not the most durable.
Product Specs
Output | Not specified |
Tank Capacity | 8.45 ounces |
Room Coverage | 65 square feet |
Running Time | Eight hours |
Weight | 8.8 ounces |
Our Ratings
GeneralAire 1000A Humidifier, 120V
Best Furnace Humidifier
The GeneralAire 1000A Humidifier is our favorite furnace humidifier because it’s lightweight but powerful. The fan makes it efficient at evaporating water and creating more moisture.
A furnace humidifier is a type of humidifier that connects to your forced-air heating system. It works by delivering moist air throughout your whole house.
This machine may look small, but it’s actually designed to cover 3,000 square feet. It’s suitable for medium-sized houses.
The inside fan pulls warm air through the unit and its vapor pad. In return, it delivers moistened air through your duct system. This gives you better quality air and makes you feel more comfortable.
It also has an auto mode with an outdoor sensor for temperature control. You don’t need to turn it on or off. Plus, it automatically determines how much moisture is needed in your house.
Pros
- Excellent maximum output (18 gallons per day).
- Easy to install.
- Small size and weight.
- Great for large homes (up to 3,000 square feet).
- Great customer service.
Cons
- It makes a loud noise.
- More expensive than other options.
Product Specs
Output | 96 ounces per hour |
Tank Capacity | Connected to heating system (n/a) |
Room Coverage | 3,000 square feet |
Running Time | Automatic |
Weight | 10 pounds |
Our Ratings
Levoit Ultrasonic Vaporizer
Best Filterless Humidifier
If you are looking for a good filterless humidifier, it’s probably because you want a low-maintenance product. With these, you don’t need to change the humidifier, which brings down the cost of keeping your humidifier running. No expensive filters to replace.
This popular filterless diffuser has many features. Levoit Cool Mist Humidifier increases humidity without annoying noises or a long wait. Its ultrasonic technology creates a cool mist without adding dampness to your home.
The ultrasonic air diffusion is excellent for your bedroom, office, nursery, and living rooms. It can help with dry skin, insomnia, and nose bleeds.
Another great feature customers love is that it’s blissfully quiet. It won’t keep you up at night while it’s switched on.
You can also use an essential oil and enjoy the aromatherapy experience, especially at night.
Pros
- Long lasting (up to 60 hours straight).
- Excellent coverage (360-degree rotation).
- Ultra-quiet, under 30 decibels.
- Works four times faster than other products.
- You can operate it via an app or smart speaker.
- You can add essential oils to the tank.
Cons
- Might produce a white film in the surrounding area.
- The unit is quite tricky to clean.
- The built-in hygrometer isn’t always correct.
Product Specs
Output | Not specified |
Tank Capacity | 1.58 gallons |
Room Coverage | 215 to 505 square feet |
Running Time | 60 hours |
Weight | 4.3 pounds |
Our Ratings
Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier Diffuser
Best Diffuser Humidifier Combo
Remember when we said you could scent the air and add humidity to your home? Well, the Raydrop cool mist humidifier and diffuser can help with that. This is perfect for anyone who needs a little aromatherapy and extra moisture.
This good humidifier produces a cool mist without causing dampness. It also has smart features like an auto-shutoff.
It can run for up to 30 hours, so if you like to run a diffuser humidifier while you’re sleeping, this one will do the job. This diffuser promises a long-lasting scent throw, even after you’ve turned it off. What’s more, is that you have the freedom to choose your desired essential oil set with no exclusivity on the brand.
Its easy-to-fill design allows users to maintain the unit to avoid mold accumulation.
Pros
- Ultra-quiet operation.
- Easy to maintain and clean with top-fill design.
- Large 0.66-gallon capacity.
- Precise dial knob lets you control the output.
- Works for up to 30 hours between refills.
Cons
- Others find the light too bright at night.
- The unit gets dirty quickly.
Product Specs
Output | Not specified |
Tank Capacity | 0.66 gallons |
Room Coverage | 250 square feet |
Running Time | Up to 30 hours |
Weight | 1.94 pounds |
Our Ratings
Honeywell HE280A Home Whole House Humidifier
Best Whole House Humidifier
Check out the Honeywell Whole House Humidifier if you want a humidifier that can benefit your whole home. This unit has a coverage of 4,000 square feet, ensuring generous flow throughout your home.
If your home feels dry, this can fix it quickly. We love that it’s efficient, too, reducing heat and saving on your energy consumption.
One of the most incredible things about it is the Flow-Through Technology. That ensures that no water sits in the reservoir for so long. This keeps the tank clean — all you need to do is issue a quick clean every three months, and you’re good to go.
Pros
- Large coverage area of 4,000 square feet.
- Easy to control the humidity levels.
- Easy to install.
- Flow-Through Technology keeps the unit clean.
Cons
- Some of the parts were missing when delivered.
- You need a floor drain attached.
Product Specs
Output | Not specified |
Tank Capacity | Not specified since it uses Flow-Through Technology |
Room Coverage | 4,000 square feet |
Running Time | Automatic |
Weight | 14.2 pounds |
Our Ratings
AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier
Best Cool Mist Humidifier
Cool mist humidifiers are great, especially if you have little ones or pets. They can’t burn themselves on the AquaOasis cool mist humidifier.
This stylish humidifier is excellent for small rooms or even larger office spaces. The mist output can be fully adjusted with 360 degrees rotating nozzle leaving no space in the room dry and humid. We love that it operates quietly, which is suitable to use in every nursery or in your room.
The customizable settings also allow you to choose between several mist options. On the continuous setting, it can run up to 24 hours on the low mist mode.
What we love about this product is its great value for money as it offers a lifetime large water tank replacement warranty.
Pros
- Customizable settings to choose from.
- 360 degrees rotating nozzle.
- Whisper quiet which is great for nighttime.
- Automatically shuts off when empty.
- Lasts for longer than 24 hours per tank.
Cons
- A bit difficult to clean.
- You need to fill it with distilled water.
- It’s awkward to refill.
Product Specs
Output | Not specified |
Tank Capacity | 0.58 gallons |
Room Coverage | Not specified |
Running Time | 24 hours |
Weight | 2.21 pounds |
Our Ratings
Elechomes UC5501 Humidifier
Best Warm Mist Humidifier
Warm mist humidifiers have the bonus feature of warming your home as well as humidifying. If you live in a particularly cold area, the Elechomes humidifier is one to consider.
This good humidifier has a strong capacity of 1.58 gallons, allowing it to run continually for 60 hours. You don’t need to think about refilling it constantly. Perfect for relaxing!
In general, we recommend avoiding warm mist filters in areas where your kids or pets hang out. It’s a good one for your bedroom, though.
However, if you want to use this in other rooms, you can easily switch to the cool mist option.
Finally, this humidifier has a sleep mode. It changes from the warm mist and generates a cool mist in the room when you switch it to sleep mode, providing you with a beautiful slumber. In addition, you can also add essential oils to this humidifier. Lavender is great for sleep time.
Pros
- Sleep mode runs quietly with no light.
- Comes with a remote control for convenience.
- 60 hours of continuous use.
- High mist output.
- 360-degree adjustable nozzles.
- Provides both cool and warm mist.
Cons
- Water filters must be purchased separately.
- It beeps when you turn it on and when it’s low on water.
- The built-in hygrometer isn’t always accurate.
Product Specs
Output | Not specified |
Tank Capacity | 1.58 gallons |
Room Coverage | 400 square feet |
Running Time | 60 hours |
Weight | 2.21 pounds |
Our Ratings
Levoit Ultrasonic Air Humidifier
Best Ultrasonic Humidifier
We’ve raved about ultrasonic humidifiers. We love them because they are quiet and offer both cool and warm mist. The Levoit Ultrasonic Air Humidifier gets a green light from us!
This is a germ-free and super quiet ultrasonic humidifier. Of course, it offers both warm and cool mist.
The warm mist helps to kill bacteria and humidifies the room quickly. The cool mist keeps your sinuses and skin hydrated, especially during the summer months.
We love how convenient it is, too. It has low noise, a timer to automatically shut off, a remote control, and a built-in sensor to detect your home’s humidity levels. Therefore, you don’t need to do much work; the gadget does the hard stuff for you!
If you have a bigger home, this humidifier is one to consider. It can cover over 700 square feet. Plus, its sleek and modern design should look good in most homes.
Pros
- High mist output (500 ml/h).
- Warm and cool mist settings.
- 50-hour usage.
- Automatic mode takes away the guesswork.
- Works fast, raising humidity by 10 percent in 20 minutes.
- Less than 28 decibels.
Cons
- Some reports of leaking.
- The bottom fill design is inconvenient.
- The built-in hygrometer isn’t always accurate.
Product Specs
Output | 500 ml/h |
Tank Capacity | 1.58 gallons |
Room Coverage | 753 square feet |
Running Time | 50 hours |
Weight | 4.92 pounds |
Our Ratings
Sharp PlasmaCluster Air Purifier Humidifier
Best Air Purifier And Humidifier Combo
We recommend the Sharp PlasmaCluster Air Purifier Humidifier if you want a combo product. Air purifiers help to improve air quality inside your home — a place that is often more polluted than the outside world.
This device uses its thorough filters and ionizer to truly purify the air in your home. The multiple sensors keep track of the air quality around you, so you don’t have to.
The PlasmaCluster covers up to 254 square feet. It’s better suited for smaller homes. We recommend using this in your bedroom or living room.
Additionally, you can use the lowest setting and dim lighting to set the mood for a perfect night’s sleep. Also, the true HEPA filter on this purifier humidifier combo only needs to be changed every two to five years, depending on the usage amount. So it keeps operating costs low.
Finally, it offers a fancy quick clean mode to take the ease out of this boring task.
Pros
- True HEPA filter.
- Automatic air quality control.
- Meets safety standards.
- Long filter life.
- Quick and easy to clean.
- Three fan speeds to choose from.
Cons
- Expensive price point.
- Emits a little ozone which is a respiratory irritator.
- It’s quite noisy.
Product Specs
Output | Not available (intakes air) |
Tank Capacity | Not available (uses filters) |
Room Coverage | 254 square feet |
Running Time | Not specified |
Weight | 20.5 pounds |
Our Ratings
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Humidifier
Best for Babies
Investing in a humidifier for your baby’s room is always a good idea. It can increase the air quality around them while greatly benefiting their skin and breathing. That’s why we recommend the Pure Enrichment MistAire.
This product comes with a night function. It has a soothing glow which can help with relaxation and sleep. Your baby will love the sensations that come with this humidifier.
Don’t worry about noise, either. It has a whisper-quiet operation.
The MistAire can run for up to 25 hours. When it’s empty, it automatically shuts off, too.
This stylish and simple design looks good in any room. Plus, its small size makes it easy to squeeze into smaller areas.
If your baby struggles with cracked skin, sinus problems, and viral infections, this humidifier can help. Customers have reported that they sleep much better since purchasing this humidifier. Some have even reported that it’s also helped with headaches.
Pros
- Easy to use and refill.
- Inexpensive price point.
- Night mode with optional night light.
- Whisper-quiet operation.
- 360-degree mist nozzle.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- Easy to spill.
- Leaves behind a residue if you use tap water in a hard-water area.
- Doesn’t increase humidity levels quickly.
Product Specs
Output | 150 ml/h |
Tank Capacity | 57 ounces |
Room Coverage | 250 square feet |
Running Time | 25 hours |
Weight | 1.35 pounds |
Our Ratings
Product | Best | Output | Tank Capacity | Room Coverage | Running Time | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geniani Erie Humidifier | Personal Humidifier | N/A | 8.45 oz | 65 sq ft | 8 hours | 8.8 oz |
GeneralAire 1000A Humidifier | Furnace Humidifier | 96 oz p/h | N/A | 3,000 sq ft | Auto | 10 lbs |
Levoit Cool Mist Humidifier | Filterless Humidifier | N/A | 1.58 gallons | 215—505 sq ft | 60 hours | 4.3 lbs |
Raydrop Cool Mist | Diffuser Humidifier Combo | n/a | 0.66 gallons | 250 sq ft | 30 hours | 1.94 lbs |
Honeywell Home Whole House Humidifier | Whole House Humidifier | N/A | N/A | 4,000 sq ft | Auto | 14.2lbs |
AquaOasis Cool Mist | Cool Mist Humidifier | N/A | 0.58 gallons | N/A | 24 hours | 2.21 lbs |
Elechomes UC5501 Humidifier | Warm Mist Humidifier | N/A | 1.58 gallons | 400 sq ft | 60 hours | 2.21 lbs |
Levoit Ultrasonic Air Humidifier | Ultrasonic Humidifier | 500 ml/h | 1.58 gallons | 753 sq ft | 50 hours | 4.92 lbs |
Sharp PlasmaCluster Air Purifier | Air Purifier & Humidifier Combo | N/A | N/A | 254 sq ft | N/A | 20.5 lbs |
Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic | For Babies | 150 ml/h | 57 oz | 250 sq ft | 25 hours | 1.35 lbs |
Do I Need a Humidifier?
Not everyone needs a humidifier, but there are some signs that you might. These include:
- Having dry air in the house.
- Chronic runny nose.
- Hay fever.
- Nose bleeds.
- Asthma and allergy attacks.
- Sinus congestion.
- Dry throat.
Ideal Indoor Humidity
When it comes to dry air, how do you know if you have it? Well, the ideal indoor humidity is between 30 and 50 percent (1). The way to check this is to buy a hygrometer. You can get one in a drugstore.
Place the hygrometer in the room you want to check and follow the instructions. The hygrometer will give you a percentage.
If the humidity level is less than 30 percent, it’s too low, and you should get a good humidifier. If it’s above 50 percent, it’s too high, and therefore, you need more air circulation. You can do this by opening windows or buying a dehumidifier (2).
Bonus Tip
What Size Humidifier Do I Need?
Each humidifier is designed for a different room size. The manufacturer will specify the square footage the humidifier is made for. Make sure to get one that covers the room you need it for.
If you need humidity throughout your home, you will need an entire home humidifier, which we can recommend to you in this article.
Types of Humidifiers
When buying a humidifier, don’t be fooled into buying the first one you see. There are lots of different types, all intended for different purposes. That’s why you must read through this article to find the best one for you, your needs, and your home.
Ultrasonic Warm or Cool Mist
Ultrasonic cool or warm mist humidifiers offer both warm and cool mist. Warm mist is excellent for winter because it heats the room a little. Cool mist is ideal all year round, especially in the summer.
These humidifiers are quiet because there are no fans or steam noises. The plates inside vibrate at a high frequency to propel tiny water droplets, which create a mist.
Pros
- Warm and cool mist option.
- Quiet noise level.
- Portable.
- Easy to clean.
- They are energy efficient.
Cons
- Can leave white dust.
- More expensive than other humidifiers.
Evaporative Cool Mist
Evaporative humidifiers evaporate moisture through a wicking filter. They’re less messy than other types of humidifiers.
In essence, the fan pulls in the air from the room and blows it through the wicking filter. Some of the water evaporates, and some of the water is added to the air to help with low humidity.
Because of the cool mist, these are ideal for homes with pets and children. There is no risk of burning yourself like there is with a warm mist humidifier.
Pros
- Less messy.
- Low maintenance.
- Ideal for homes with children and pets.
- No risk of burning yourself.
- Quite affordable.
Cons
- Noisy due to the fan system.
- May accumulate mineral dust and bacteria.
Air Washers
Air washers (or purifiers) increase humidity levels while cleaning the air. Win-win!
The water and rotating discs remove impurities such as dust and pollen. In return, the humidifier returns humidified air into the room.
The main problem with this type is that they are high maintenance. They require frequent cleaning.
Pros
- Cleans and humidifies the air.
- Removes dust and pollen.
- Minimizes viruses and bacteria in the home.
- Helps with asthma and allergies.
Cons
- High maintenance.
- Need frequent cleaning.
- Not as effective as buying two separate products.
Steam Vaporizer Warm Mist
This humidifier has a fancy heating element so that the water is warmed before it releases into the air. The significant benefit is that the hot water kills bacteria and organic compounds you don’t want in your house.
Of course, these pose a safety risk because of their high heat. So if you have children, avoid a steam vaporizer humidifier.
Pros
- Warms the air.
- Kills bacteria and organic compounds.
- Good for flu symptoms.
- You can sometimes add inhalants.
- Quiet operation.
Cons
- Risk of burns.
- Not energy efficient.
- Hard to clean.
What to Look For
Getting down to business, how do you choose the best humidifier for you?
The Best Humidifier Brands
You may be familiar with some humidifier brands already. We’ll take you through a few brands to give you some background information and tell you what kind of products they offer.